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Bacteria – tiny single-celled organisms that can be found everywhere on Earth – have different modes of transmission. Most known bacteria species do not impact humans, but those that do cause harm can be transmitted through water (water-borne) or air (airborne). How a bacterium is transmitted affects its ability to reproduce and spread infection.
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Water-borne bacteria
Water-related illnesses are a leading cause of global death and disease. Altogether, at least 25 million deaths each year occur due to these water-related diseases, including nearly two-thirds of the deaths of children under five years of age. (Doi: 10.1155/2017/7908183)
Illnesses caused by water contamination can be transmitted through drinking water or recreational activities like swimming. Drinking water can become contaminated through improper water treatment practices, leaks, and breaks in pipelines that allow sewage or environmental pathogens to enter the water supply.
- Common Route of Transmission: The most common route for water-borne transmission is through the fecal-oral route, in which bacteria enter water bodies through feces and/or sewage contamination.
- Spread by Contaminated Water: Bacteria such as Shigella and Escherichia coli are spread by consuming water contaminated by human feces from an infected person. Some water-borne pathogenic bacteria also naturally occur in aquatic environments. For example, Vibrio cholerae, the cause of cholera, thrives in the sodium-rich environment of marine and estuarine water.
- Need Water to Survive: Water-borne bacteria need water to survive and effectively transmit through it. If a droplet of contaminated water on a surface dries, the bacteria in the droplet will die.
Air-borne bacteria
Air-borne bacteria are primarily carried through the air in tiny droplet nuclei or suspended dust particles. A person infected with air-borne pathogens does not need direct contact with another person to spread infection.
- Spread through Microscopic Aerosols: Microscopic aerosols released while coughing, sneezing, or talking by an infected person can release bacteria into the surrounding environment, drifting through circulating air to infect other people.
- Causes of Serious Illnesses: Some serious human illnesses caused by air-borne bacteria include tuberculosis, bacterial meningitis, and diphtheria.
- Spread in Closed Environments: Since bacteria can survive suspended in air, an infection can be spread for longer periods in closed environments, such as schools, hospitals, and places of a religious congregation where people are exposed to the same circulating air for a long time.
Factors Impacting Bacterial Transmission
- Cell Size
- Spore Forming Capability
- Virulence
It is important to note that no hard rule explains why a bacterium might transmit through water or air. Studies have shown that water-borne bacteria tend to affect the digestive system, whereas air-borne bacteria are more likely to cause respiratory illnesses.
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Conclusion
To protect yourself from water-borne bacteria, make sure you drink only clean, treated water. Be careful not to swallow contaminated water during recreational activities such as swimming.
To protect yourself from air-borne bacteria, avoid close contact with people who are sick and wash your hands frequently. In enclosed spaces, such as schools, hospitals, and religious gathering places, it is essential to maintain HVAC systems regularly to prevent the spread of airborne diseases.
Understanding the dangers of water-borne and air-borne bacteria is crucial to preventing illness and promoting public health. Regular hand washing, proper water treatment, and effective ventilation systems can help prevent the spread of these dangerous microorganisms.
Saumya Garg
Date 01/02/2023
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